Jordan Gower serves up Oysters Five Ways for Drink Dine Design

A holistic and well-rounded consideration of the dining experience is key to the presentation of this year’s top entries in the Drink Dine Design Emerging Designer Award, and unmistakable in this year’s winning project by ceramicist Jordan Gower.

Gower, a JamFactory second year ceramics associate, designed a set of five handcrafted dishes, entitled Oysters Five Ways, which allude to the idea that one’s dining experience is greatly impacted by the use and presentation of skilfully crafted ceramics.

“Jordan’s winning piece is a great case of how thoughtful design and craft can spark interesting conversation around the elements of good design, food and wine,” says JamFactory CEO Brian Parkes.

Oysters Five Ways is intended to be a limited edition piece for fine dining that celebrates the creativity fostered between designer and chef, or artist and vintner. The choice of clay and glaze are carefully considered, with the texture and colour of the group of dishes reflecting the locality and season of the food served upon them.

The design of the Oysters Five Ways dishes showcase a holistic approach to the dining experience, a theme that has extended into the presentation of this year’s Drink Dine Design entries. JamFactory, in collaboration with Grieve Gillett Andersen, designed a ‘bar installation’ to showcase all of the 2017 entries in an immersive environment.

“We have seen a greater focus on crafting food experiences locally and internationally,” says Grieve Gillett Andersen director Dimitty Andersen. “In designing this installation we are aiming to create a unique, memorable space where people can connect with the designers of this year’s Drink Dine Design award and appreciate how their work enhances great food and wine.’

Collaborations between Grieve Gillett Andersen and JamFactory have been ongoing over many years, as director Paul Gillett highlights.

“We are really excited to be part of the Hot 100 Wines event, as a partner of the Drink Dine Design award, and to build on our long-term relationship with JamFactory. From designing the purpose-built facilities at Morphett Street to transforming the original stables building at Seppeltsfield into their first satellite gallery, shop and studios in the Barossa Valley.”

Now in its sixth year, the Drink Dine Design Emerging Design Award is presented by JamFactory with support from The Adelaide Review, University of South Australia, Hot 100 Wines, Design Institute of Australia, Grieve Gillett Andersen, Visualcom and the Adelaide Airport.

The cash prize for the winning entry is $3000, which is intended to support further design and experimentation.